RSStx motorcyclist brain injury | Austin Texas Motorcycle Attorney Blog
Motorcycle Helmets Save Lives
Under Texas law, only riders and passengers 20 years of age and younger are required to wear a motorcycle helmet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the use of Department of Transportation-compliant motorcycle helmets in 2009 stood at 67 percent, which is an increase from 63 percent in 2008. In the five years leading up to 2009, motorcycle helmet use has been increasing slowly but steadily, NHTSA statistics show. Motorcycle helmet use increased from 48 percent in 2005 to 67 percent in 2009.
Studies have also found that when there is a law requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets, helmet use increases. NHTSA studies in 2009 also found that helmet use significantly increased in states that require all motorcyclists to wear helmets from 78 percent in 2008 to 86 percent in 2009. Helmet use in these states continued to be higher than in those states without a universal helmet use law.
NHTSA also estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,829 motorcyclists in 2008. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 823 lives could have been saved. Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41 percent effective when it comes to motorcycle passengers. This means for every 100 motorcycle riders killed in crashes while not wearing a helmet, 37 could have been saved had all 100 worn helmets.
Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating, but it can also be extremely dangerous because motorcyclists do not have the same protections and safeguards that the occupants of a passenger vehicle have. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, the experienced Texas motorcycle accident attorneys at the King Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at (512) 514-6633 for a free case evaluation.